In 1981 members of the Gore Country Music Club Inc. first debated the idea of a Hands of Fame structure in the shape of a guitar to substantiate Gore’s claim of being the New Zealand capital of country music. Discussion began between club members of what, how, when and where. Errol Alison was approached a New Zealand artist who lived in Gore to draw up some concepts of plans. These were taken to the Gore District Council for approval to erect the structure where the brown trout stands now. This initial proposal was turned down and the discussion among club members continued.

In 1992 the members of Gore Country Music Club Inc. had the insight to start collecting hand prints set in concrete of country artists both local and international. Prints were collected from Kenny Rogers, Slim Dusty, Patsy Rigger, Garner Wayne, Suzanne Prentice, Ricky Skaggs, Jade Hurley and many other worthy recipients. During the following years members continued to re addressed the idea of a structure to display the Hands of Fame. A few years later the members asked Errol Allison for a structure that would depict what country music means to the people of Gore and Errol presented his design ideas to the members and the project was adopted at a meeting of the club.

Every year since names have been put forward to become part of the selection process to be eligible for the induction ceremony that year. The club members who were voted onto the Hands of Fame committee made the final decision. This committee spent years fundraising and working towards a debt free structure prior to commencement of the building project. This committee also organized and ran the show for several years.

At the show during the induction ceremony a history of the recipient was read out at a public event where the pioneering days of country music in New Zealand was often revealed. Not all the recipients are singers and the criteria to be inducted is decided by the club members. There were some sizable donations from people such as Jessie McChlery-Tytler.

Some of the people instrumental in the final structure being erected are:

The construction began in 2004 and dedicated in the week prior to New Zealand Gold Guitar Awards on May 31st 2005. All the plaques were installed and spaces for new ones to be added. A few years later ownership of the statue was passed over to the Gore District Council.